as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back
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Recent Examples of fall back
In 2023, federal lawmakers introduced the Sunshine Protection Act, a proposal to make daylight saving time permanent, meaning no more springing forward or falling back.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As highlighted below, teams can be aggressive in going player-for-player (often led by the lone striker) or fall back into a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 defensive block.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2025
That also means its almost time for clocks to fall back.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
As highlighted below, teams can be aggressive in going player-for-player (often led by the lone striker) or fall back into a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 defensive block.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
For example, Comet Halley barely crosses the orbit of Neptune before falling back into the inner solar system.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
Verb
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After occupying Sinai, Britain and France succumbed to international pressure and withdrew their forces from Egypt in November.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics withdrew its guidance that said potential allergens should be avoided for high-risk babies, but didn’t have enough data to recommend introducing them early.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As climate change causes sea ice to retreat and the melting zone to expand, these microbes are expected to add more nitrogen to the ocean.—
Pranjal Malewar,
New Atlas,
7 Nov. 2025
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Although Ukraine for now is still maintaining a defense, the fall of Pokrovsk would be one of the most serious defeats Ukraine has suffered since March, when its troops were forced to retreat from Russia's Kursk region.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Orange quarterback Rickie Collins dropped back and threw a deep pass intended for receiver Darius Johnson.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Nov. 2025
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And Bosa appeared to have had a path to Mahomes, only to stop his charge and drop back into coverage instead.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Stolarz, the Maple Leafs starter, had just been pulled out of the game for poor performance for the first time as a Leaf.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Japan pulled out following its invasion of China, leaving the Dutch East Indies to take the sole Asian berth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Raimondo Orsi had already gone back to Argentina to look after his sick mother, and Luis Monti had retired.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Alex Morgan speaks during the ceremony to retire her Number 13 jersey following NWSL match between San Diego Wave and Houston Dash at Snapdragon Stadium on September 07, 2025 in San Diego, California.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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